From Eurovision to Euro-elections: five things to remember before the 22 May poll

With six little girls hogging the telly last night, I was resorted to snatching little moments of Graham Norton and Eurovision via the Ipad.  While my vote went for Holland, I was happy to see Conchita win for Austria and for bearded ladies everywhere.  

The last time I was in Austria for the European Birdlife partnership meeting (here), I didn't meet any bearded ladies.  But I did help plot our strategy for collaboration to save nature over the next six years.  There are two camps within the partnership: those representing countries within the European Union and those outside.  We try and create a strategy that brings both camps together (especially over data, standards and priorities) but inevitably the policy and legislative framework of the EU dominates the conversations of the 28.

And for the 28, the European elections on 22 May matter.  

Here are five areas that MEPs can make a difference:

1. Saving birds without borders

If we want to save migratory species like turtle dove, swift or swallow, then we need to cooperative across the flyway.  When the actions of one country, let's say, Malta, threaten the conservation of an individual species, then pressure from others can make a difference.  MEPs can encourage the European Commission to remove the derogation that enables spring hunting on Malta as urged so eloquently by Sir John Randall MP in last week's debate in the House of Commons (here).

2. Healthy food and healthy rural environment

Over the 2014 – 2019 period MEPs will have a crucial role to play in overseeing implementation of the CAP, and ensuring that agriculture delivers public goods in return for public money. 

“Smart regulation” through the Nitrates Directive, Water Framework Directive, EIA Directive, Birds Directive, Habitats Directive and CAP payments for High Nature Value Farming (HNV) will be vital to ensuring that agriculture does not compromise the achievement of other EU policy objectives in the fields of environmental quality and nature protection.

3. Preventing dangerous climate change

The world is currently on course for a dangerous 3.5 or 4 degree increase in temperature above pre-industrial levels this century - with wildlife and the poorest people of the world in the frontline. Although the EU has been a leader on climate change in international talks and at home, recently our climate ambition has faltered. 

Our emission reduction targets for 2020 are too low to help solve the climate problem, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), needs radical restructuring, while EU policies on bioenergy are driving habitat destruction.

4. Productive and healthy seas

The seas around Europe are among our finest natural assets, home to some of the world’s greatest populations of seabirds. Recent reform of the Common fisheries policy brings some hope that, after decades of EU fisheries mismanagement, EU fish stocks will recover and fishing could become safer for birds and other biodiversity. However, this will only happen if EU and Member states chose the path of ambitious and robust implementation supported by the right investments. 

5. Protect and restore our ecosystems

The natural environment is the life-line for human society. The services provided by our ecosystems – such as food, clean water and fertile soils – underpin all economic activity.  European laws establish the principle that no Member State should gain competitive advantage through trashing the environment.  A Europe that values and protects the environment will be a more prosperous Europe.

Unlike the participants of Eurovision, the MEPs that we elect on 22 May can make a difference on our environment.  Have a look at the manifestos of each of the parties, then make your view on which party will use its voice for nature.  And whatever you do on 22 May, please do use your vote.